Hidden Truths Project

What Hidden Truths Project does

Hidden Truths Project (HTP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and advocacy organization founded in 2012 by board-certified neurologist Dr. Julie Thompson-Dobkin and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with a 9-person team. The organization addresses the social stigma and isolation experienced by individuals living with epilepsy and other hidden disabilities by providing curated platforms for creative expression, public awareness, and community building. Its core programs include the annual "1:26 The Art of Epilepsy" exhibitions (Chicago, Newport Beach, San Francisco, and Orlando in 2026), Mindfulness-Based Art Workshops delivered via Zoom, the biennial "If Not Us, Then Who?" film series, Well-being Forums launched in 2024–2025, and the Arts & Healing Scholarship Program (up to $1,000 per recipient for students with epilepsy pursuing higher education in arts, advocacy, or healthcare).

HTP's technology footprint is intentionally light: its "platform" is a curated exhibition model layered onto commodity infrastructure — a WordPress-based website hosting the Virtual Gallery and e-commerce storefront, CharityProud for donation/event registration, Double the Donation for employer matching gifts, Zoom for workshops, and Padlet for interactive workshop boards. The organization has featured 100+ artists from 14+ countries across six continents and reached more than 35,000 people cumulatively.

Revenue is sourced from individual donations (including stock/IRA charitable distributions and employer matching), corporate sponsorships (Jazz Pharmaceuticals, SK Life Science, Neurelis, UCB, Lundbeck, and UCI), art and merchandise sales (originals $50–$1,800, $25 notecard sets, $20 tote bags), and event ticket sales (e.g., Purple Day 2026 Reception at $40/$50/$75 tiered). Cumulative fundraising exceeded $750,000 over 14 years (versus $500,000 by 2022), implying low-to-mid six-figure annual gross receipts. The organization is governed by a board that includes neurologists, healthcare commercialization executives, and former Big-4 finance leadership, and holds GuideStar Platinum certification alongside memberships in CalNonprofits and the Epilepsy Leadership Council.

Name

Hidden Truths Project

Legal name

Hidden Truths Project

Website

https://hiddentruthsproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hidden Truths Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses art exhibitions, workshops, film, and scholarships to raise awareness and combat stigma for individuals living with epilepsy and other hidden disabilities. It serves artists, families, and the broader epilepsy community across six continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Arts Advocacy for Epilepsy Awareness

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Epilepsy arts advocacy
• Community art exhibitions
• Nonprofit health awareness
• Artist scholarship programs
• Mindfulness art workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Costa Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute via the website and CharityProud portal. Many employers offer matching gift programs that double or triple the impact of donations.
2. Art Sales: HTP operates an e-commerce storefront selling original artwork, prints, the Echoes of Truth notecard collection ($25), and the Bag the Stigma tote bag ($20) from its online gallery. Shipping costs are billed separately.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Pharmaceutical companies (Jazz Pharmaceuticals, SK Life Science, Neurelis, UCB, Lundbeck) and healthcare/tech organizations (UCI) sponsor HTP events and receive brand visibility at exhibits and in marketing materials.
4. Employer Matching Gifts: HTP partners with Double the Donation to facilitate employer matching gift programs, allowing donors to amplify their contributions at no additional cost.
5. Stock and IRA Charitable Distributions: Donors can give appreciated stock or make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs, offering potential tax benefits while supporting HTP's mission.
6. Event Ticket Sales: HTP charges admission for certain signature events. For the Purple Day 2026 Reception, early bird tickets were priced at $40 (until Jan 31, 2026), $50 (Feb 1–Feb 28), and $75 (Mar 1–Mar 20). General admission covers entry, light food, wine, and art viewing.
7. Arts & Healing Scholarship: HTP provides scholarship awards of up to $1,000 to individuals with epilepsy pursuing higher education in the arts, advocacy, or healthcare, funded through donations and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hidden Truths Project is a nonprofit arts and advocacy organization that delivers art exhibitions, mindfulness-based workshops, a documentary film series, well-being forums, and a scholarship program for individuals living with epilepsy and other hidden disabilities. It also sells original artwork and mission merchandise through an online gallery and ticket-bearing signature events, with funding from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation partners.

Product overview

Hidden Truths Project is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs centered around art-based engagement for individuals with epilepsy. The core offerings include 1:26 The Art of Epilepsy (annual art exhibits), Mindful-based Art Workshops (interactive sessions via Zoom), the If Not Us, Then Who? film series (documentary screenings and online forums), and the Arts & Healing Scholarship Program (financial awards for students). The organization also operates a Virtual Gallery for online art sales and hosts Well-being Forums exploring arts-health intersections. Supporting merchandise includes the Echoes of Truth Notecard Collection and the Support Epilepsy Awareness Tote Bag. All programs aim to raise awareness about epilepsy and empower individuals through creative expression.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1:26 The Art of Epilepsy: Art exhibition program showcasing artists living with epilepsy
• If Not Us, Then Who?
• Mindful-based Art Workshops
• Arts & Healing Scholarship Program

Products and services

• 1:26 The Art of Epilepsy Exhibits HTP's flagship annual exhibition program showcasing artwork created by artists living with epilepsy. Held across multiple cities including Chicago (Jackson Junge Gallery), Newport Beach (Newport Beach Civic Center), and San Francisco (The Walt Disney Family Museum), the exhibits provide a high-visibility platform for the artist community, drive in-person art sales, and raise public awareness. The 2026 Chicago exhibit is scheduled for October 13–17, 2026.
• Mindfulness-Based Art Workshops Interactive workshops teaching mindfulness through artistic expression, including Mindful Photography and Origami workshops. Delivered primarily via Zoom with Padlet as a collaborative digital bulletin board for the Mindful Photography workshop, where participants post images representing joy, awe, and gratitude. Designed for individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, and the broader community seeking well-being practices.
• If Not Us, Then Who? Film Series Biennial documentary film series showcasing stories of individuals living with epilepsy, paired with online well-being forums featuring guest speakers and documentary previews. Designed to use film as a catalyst for dialogue about the lived experience of epilepsy.
• Arts & Healing Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program supporting individuals with epilepsy pursuing higher education in the arts, advocacy, or healthcare. Awards up to $1,000 per recipient to cover tuition, books, and fees. Open to graduating high school seniors and adults across the United States who demonstrate commitment to the epilepsy community. Funded through donations and sponsorships.
• Virtual Gallery Online platform showcasing artwork from HTP exhibits, enabling global access to artist portfolios and facilitating online art sales of original artwork by artists living with epilepsy.
• Echoes of Truth: The Art of Epilepsy Notecard Collection Set of 8 notecards (4 distinct images) featuring artwork by artists living with epilepsy. Priced at $25 per packet with shipping charged separately. Proceeds support HTP's mission and awareness programs.
• Bag the Stigma Tote Bag Tote bag merchandise supporting epilepsy awareness. Priced at $20 per tote bag. Proceeds fund HTP's art, advocacy, and education programs.
• Original Artwork Sales Direct sale of original artwork by artists living with epilepsy through HTP's online gallery and in-person flagship exhibits. Prices range from $50 to $1,800 depending on the artist and piece. Shipping costs are verified separately and charged to the buyer's credit card.
• Well-being Forums Online discussion forums exploring topics at the intersection of arts and health, featuring guest speakers and documentary previews. Designed to extend HTP's programming beyond physical exhibits into ongoing community dialogue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $750,000 raised for epilepsy research, advocacy programs, and scholarships over 14 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jazz PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJazz Pharmaceuticals is a corporate sponsor of Hidden Truths Project, supporting HTP's 1:26 The Art of Epilepsy exhibits and receiving brand visibility in return. Jazz Pharma focuses on neuroscience, including epilepsy treatments.
• SK Life SciencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSK Life Science is a corporate sponsor of Hidden Truths Project, providing financial support for HTP's exhibitions and programs in exchange for brand association with the epilepsy advocacy community.
• NeureliscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNeurelis is a corporate sponsor of Hidden Truths Project. Neurelis develops novel formulations of existing medications for epilepsy and CNS conditions. Sponsorship provides brand visibility at HTP events and within the epilepsy community.
• UCBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUCB is a global pharmaceutical company focused on neurology, including epilepsy, and a corporate sponsor of HTP's exhibits. Sponsorship supports HTP's mission while providing UCB with community engagement in the epilepsy space.
• LundbeckcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLundbeck is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to brain diseases, including epilepsy, and a corporate sponsor of Hidden Truths Project, supporting exhibits and programs.
• UCI (University of California, Irvine)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUCI, specifically the UCI Center for Clinical Research, is a sponsor of HTP's Newport Beach exhibit, supporting the organization's epilepsy awareness mission while engaging with the academic medical community.
• Anita Kaufmann FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTP partners with the Anita Kaufmann Foundation for the annual Purple Day celebrations. Together they bring the epilepsy community together for art exhibits and receptions that raise awareness and visibility.
• Epilepsy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTP is partnered with multiple Epilepsy Foundation chapters (Orange County, Northern California, New England, LA) and the Epilepsy Foundation national organization for events, programs, and community outreach. The Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California co-sponsors the Purple Day celebrations.
• Epilepsy Leadership CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTP is a member of the Epilepsy Leadership Council (ELC), collaborating with other epilepsy organizations to advance advocacy, awareness, and policy priorities for the epilepsy community.
• Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHOC Foundation is a foundation partner supporting HTP's mission, connecting the organization with pediatric epilepsy care resources and the broader Orange County healthcare community.
• The Walt Disney Family MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Walt Disney Family Museum hosts the Purple Day 2026 Art Exhibit and Reception at the Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall in San Francisco, providing the venue and promotional support for HTP's signature Purple Day celebration.
• Purple Day / Anita Kaufmann FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurple Day, created by Cassidy Megan in 2008, is a global epilepsy awareness initiative. HTP partners with the Anita Kaufmann Foundation (administrators of Purple Day) for annual Purple Day Expo events, including HTP's Art of Epilepsy exhibits at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando.
• Henry's Heroes FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHenry's Heroes Foundation, founded by Nancy Iida to support individuals with epilepsy, is a foundation partner of HTP, sharing advocacy resources and community connections.
• Jackson Junge GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJackson Junge Gallery in Chicago is HTP's venue partner for the 1:26 Art Exhibit 2026 in Chicago (October 13–17, 2026), hosting the exhibition and artist talks.
• J2 GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJ2 Gallery is a community partner of HTP and co-host of the Chicago 1:26 Art Exhibit, supporting venue and promotional efforts for the epilepsy art exhibitions.
• Charlie FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Charlie Foundation supports ketogenic diet therapy for epilepsy and is a foundation partner of HTP, cross-referring communities interested in epilepsy treatment options.
• CalNonprofitsminorOthersHTP is a member of CalNonprofits, a statewide association of nonprofit organizations that provides advocacy, resources, and networking for nonprofits in California.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• SUDEP Action: UK-based epilepsy charity focused on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) awareness and research. Operates in the same epilepsy advocacy space as HTP but serves a primarily UK/European audience rather than the U.S.

Direct peers

• Creative Growth Art Center: Oakland-based art center serving adults with developmental disabilities, providing studio space, exhibition opportunities, and art sales. Shares HTP's core model of using art as empowerment for individuals with disabilities, though broader in served populations.
• CURE Epilepsy: Epilepsy-focused nonprofit that funds research and community programs. Similar mission-driven nonprofit model and overlapping sponsor/donor base in the epilepsy space, though CURE is more research-focused while HTP emphasizes art and awareness.
• Anita Kaufmann Foundation: Administers Purple Day globally and co-produces Purple Day Expo with HTP. As a direct program partner in the epilepsy advocacy space, it shares HTP's mission of awareness-building, community engagement, and reducing stigma around epilepsy.
• Danny Did Foundation: Epilepsy nonprofit focused on SUDEP awareness and seizure-monitoring technology. Comparable mission-driven nonprofit operationally fundraising through community events and donor networks in the same epilepsy donor pool as HTP.
• My Epilepsy Story: Epilepsy advocacy nonprofit using storytelling and lived-experience narratives to drive awareness. Highly comparable to HTP's narrative-and-experiential approach to dismantling stigma through arts and individual voices.
• Charlie Foundation: Epilepsy nonprofit promoting ketogenic diet therapy; explicit HTP partner. Targets the same epilepsy community with complementary educational programming and shares a mutual cross-referral arrangement.

Broad incumbents

• Epilepsy Foundation: The largest U.S. epilepsy advocacy organization, operating national programs, research funding, and support services. Comparable to HTP in serving the epilepsy community but broader in scope with established infrastructure and chapter network.
• National Arts and Disability Center: UCLA-based center advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts. Operates in the same arts-and-disability intersection as HTP, with a research and policy orientation rather than grassroots exhibition programming.
• VSA (Kennedy Center): National program at the Kennedy Center focused on arts and disability, operating programs, exhibitions, and education across the U.S. Larger institutional player in the same art-and-disability space that HTP operates in.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EpilepsyArt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hiddentruthsproject1317
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hidden-truths-project
• Instagraminstagram.com/hiddentruthsproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hidden Truths Project